People’s Majlis has on Wednesday announced Jumhooree Party (JP)’s Abdulla Riyaz as the minority leader.

The Kinbidhoo constituency MP was named minority leader as JP now has more representatives in parliament than Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

It currently has 22 MPs while MDP has 19.

Prior to Wednesday’s announcement, MDP’s parliamentary group leader MP Mohamed Aslam held the post of minority leader.

Former ruling party, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) still holds majority in parliament, with 30 representatives.

Hence, PPM’s parliamentary group leader and Villimalé constituency MP Ahmed Nihan will hold the post until next year’s parliamentary elections.  

Despite PPM holding majority number of representatives, with a total of 45 MPs, the ruling coalition has majority in parliament.